Nepal · Trekking

10-Day Upper Mustang Trek from Kathmandu with Lo-Manthang Explorer

10 Days Round trip from Kathmandu 44600 Hard pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the Chhoser Cave building, a spectacular multi-storied site with 42 rooms
02 Visit Raja's Darbar (Royal Place) and Namgyal Gomba in Lo-Manthang
03 Admire majestic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri
04 Take in panoramic views of the Himalayas from Upper Mustang
05 Experience the forbidden kingdom of Nepal and its unique Tibetan culture

Embark on a 10-day trek to Upper Mustang, the forbidden kingdom of Nepal. Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Jomsom before heading through Chaile and Vena La to Lo-Manthang, where you will visit Raja's Darbar and Namgyal Gomba. Explore Chhoser village and its spectacular cave building, then return via Jomsom and Pokhara to Kathmandu. This journey combines mountain scenery, Himalayan views, and the unique culture of Upper Mustang.

Embark on a 10-day trek to Upper Mustang, the forbidden kingdom of Nepal.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Pokhara, Kathmandu, Jomsom, Lo Manthang

Languages English, Japanese

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu

After your arrival at Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel.

Day 02

Trekking Preparation and Permit Arrangements

Today is mainly for trekking preparation, as obtaining permits and completing paperwork will take time. Restricted permits take almost half a day.

Day 03

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara

Begin the tour with a long drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara city (950 m). The drive will take about 6 to 7 hours.

Day 04

Fly to Jomsom and Travel to Chaile

Today, fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2713 m), which will take about 25 minutes.
Then, continue with a drive in a jeep or tractor from Jomsom towards Chhusang (2980 m). This ride will take another 3 to 4 hours, followed by a walk to Chaile.

Day 05

Trek to Vena La and Drive to Lo-Manthang

Trek from Chaile to Vena La in a time frame of 6 to 7 hours.
Then, continue with a drive from Vena La to Lo-Manthang, situated at 3850 m. This drive will take about 4 to 5 hours.

Day 06

Explore Lo-Manthang

Explore around Lo-Manthang.
Visit the Namgyal Gomba.
Then, go to Raja's Darbar (Royal Place) and see the surrounding panoramic views of the Himalayas.

Day 07

Visit Chhoser Village and Cave Site

Visit the Chhoser Cave - a spectacular multi-storied cave building with 42 rooms.

Day 08

Drive from Lo-Manthang to Jomsom

Drive by jeep from Lo-Manthang to Jomsom. The ride will take about 6 to 7 hours.

Day 09

Return from Jomsom to Pokhara

Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (950 m). The flight will take about 25 minutes. Or else, one can also drive back to Pokhara city, which will take about 8 to 9 hours.

Day 10

Travel Back to Kathmandu and Departure

Today, you will return to Kathmandu either on a tourist bus or on a flight back.
Then, you can depart from the city, depending upon your return flight.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Kathmandu 44600 4 cities · 10 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Free airport pick-up and drop-off, including all transportation (airport to hotel to airport).
Star level 3+2 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara on a basic twin-sharing basis.
Upper Mustang Restricted Area special permit, ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project), and TIMS (Trekkers Information System) cards.
Air tickets from Pokhara to Jomsom to Pokhara by plane (weight limit: 10 kg main baggage and 5 kg hand baggage per passenger per flight), and transport from the trek ending point to the Pokhara hotel by private car or taxi.
Transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu by comfortable tourist bus.
Nepal Mother House T-shirt/cap and appreciation card of the trip (after the trip ends).
Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), plus one cup of tea or coffee with each meal during the trek.
Soft and comfortable private accommodation in the mountains on a twin-sharing basis with a shared toilet.
Government-licensed English-speaking experienced local guide with food, accommodation, salary, insurance, and equipment.
One Sherpa (assistant guide) if the group size is more than 6 people, plus food, accommodation, salary, insurance, and equipment.
Guide insurance for their journey.
A trekking map of the Annapurna trip for the group.
Supplementary snacks (cookies and fresh fruits) on the trek.
First-aid medical kit during the trip, plus welcome and farewell program.
Tourist service charge, VAT, government tax, and official expenses if necessary.

What's Not Included

All kinds of beverages, including mineral water, chocolates, cookies, dessert, phone calls, laundry, and hot showers during the trek.
Clients' travel insurance and evacuation (compulsory).
In case of flight cancellation, charter helicopter or plane costs.
If you need a porter (one between every two people, carrying a maximum of 20-25 kg), their food, accommodation, wage, insurance, and all transportation are extra.
Tipping for guide and porter, and your meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Personal expenses like shopping, souvenirs, or gifts, and monastery entrance fees.
Optional trips and sightseeing if you extend your stay.
International airfare, airport departure tax, and visa fee.
Things which are not mentioned above in our services.
Visa fee - you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu.

What to bring

Personal trekking gear
Jackets
T-shirt
Sandals

Know before you go

Upper Mustang Trek needs a minimum of 2 people in a group for this trip, which you already have. This trip also requires a special permit for the Upper Mustang Restricted Area, provided only by a Government-registered trekking agency. You need at least one Government license holder trekking guide. Since this is a restricted-area trip, you need three different permits, which are as follows:
Undisturbed and untouched civilization life goes on as it has for centuries.
Known as a walled city also, believed to have been built in 1380 AD by the first King of Lo, 'Ame Pal'.
The last ex-King of Lo Manthang is Jigme Prabal Bista (25th King of the Upper Mustang Kingdom).
The most popular destination for worldwide trekkers who would like to explore antique Tibetan villages.
As a living museum of people and their culture, rare medieval Buddhist arts, and ancient monasteries.
More than a thousand years of hundreds of ruined caves, colourful stratified rock formations, and local tribes.
Upper Mustang is known as the forbidden kingdom of Nepal. The culture and custom are not touched by modernization. This land is full of mystery; you can see countless cave civilizations around Mustang, monasteries, Mani walls, fords, holy sites, etc. There is still the existence of a polyandry marriage system. Upper Mustang Trek is a combination of mountain scenery, amazing landscape formations, and unique Tibetan culture.
As it is near the Tibet border, the language here and its tradition are similar to Tibetan.

[I] ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permits.

[II] Upper Mustang Restricted Area Trekking Permit.

[III] TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System).

While organizing those permits, the immigration office of Nepal will ask for your Nepal visa, which is needed to validate the entire trip, along with your original passport and four copies of passport-size photographs.